RNFA Program 6.

0 RN
Program Syllabus

Description
The RNFA 6.0 Certificate Program is intended to enhance the perioperative nurse knowledge base and skills
necessary to pursue the position as a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA). The program consists of online
didactic assignments as well as a hands on clinical experience.

Program Length
Course 1 must be completed within one year of enrollment date.
Course 2 must be completed within one year of clinical internship start date.

Eligibility
CNOR or CNOR eligible
Current unrestricted RN license
Currently working in perioperative nursing

Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate should be able to:
• Describe factors controlling scope of practice and procedures for obtaining privileges and practicing as a
RNFA
• Identify surgical anatomy, physiology, and implications for the RNFA for multi-specialty surgical
procedures
• Relate principles of asepsis, infection control, and wound healing to the practice as a RNFA
• Recognize surgical hazards and implement appropriate techniques to prevent patient injury and achieve
optimal surgical outcome
• Integrate perioperative nursing and first assisting knowledge with demonstrable RNFA skills and
behaviors, appropriate for surgical interventions
• Utilize the nursing process for the foundation of practice as a RNFA
• Utilize best practices for the RNFA
• Develop communication skills to be utilized throughout the perioperative period to facilitate optimal
patient outcomes

Course 1
Involves Home-study instruction that addresses:
• Safe practice of preoperative through postoperative care within the RNFA scope of practice
• Operating room principals, practices, guidelines and standards
• Anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology are reviewed and supplemented by an in-depth study of those
organs and structures that relate to multi-specialty surgeries
• Step-by-step surgical procedures are studied, along with related knowledge and skills to safely perform a
variety of surgeries ensuring optimum patient outcomes
• Pre, intra, and postoperative testing, procedures, complications and considerations
• Pharmacology, anesthesia, specialty equipment and pre-and postoperative routines
• Single and multi-layer wound closure concepts are taught through online video instruction and home-
study coursework using the home suture lab; students are required to achieve proficiency in 22 surgical
skill sets, culminating with multi-layer wound closure

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Course 1 Didactic
• Reading assignments and study activities covering the practice as an RNFA
• Workbooks that include reading assignments, definition of terms and study questions
• Quizzes covering multi-specialty surgery and all aspects of RNFA practice
• Suture and Tying instructional online video lessons with a home practice lab
• Pre-clinical skills evaluation

Course 1 Competencies
Upon successful completion of Course 1, the RNFA Student will be able to:
• Apply the knowledge of the effects of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative surgical
pharmacology and anesthesia to specific surgical procedures, to include proper use, administration
techniques, indications and contraindications, to achieve optimal patient outcomes
• Verbalize a working knowledge of the RNFA role, limitations, legalities, ethical concerns and interpersonal
skills necessary for safe and efficient surgical progression

Course 2
The expanded intraoperative functions unique to the RNFA are emphasized and include:
• Providing exposure, tissue handling, suturing, providing hemostasis and using surgical instruments.
• Manual dexterity of surgical skills and intellectual knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology,
pathophysiology
• Pre, intra and postoperative considerations are combined to prepare the qualified student with essential
skills and knowledge necessary to function in the expanded role of RNFA
• Maintaining procedure logs

Course 2 Clinical Internship

• Successful completion of the home-study program with a grade of 80% or greater
• Detailed clinical evaluation, including a summary statement of safe practice from all sponsoring surgeon(s)
• Student self-assessment of their own competency levels
• Procedure logs documenting 140 hours consisting of 130 intraoperative, 5 preoperative and 5
postoperative clinical hours, with specifics of case, skills performed, learning progress and surgeon
intervention and teaching
• Recommendation for program completion signed by all sponsoring surgeons listed on the last 10 hours of
the final procedure log
• Pass the Final Examination with a minimum passing grade of 80%

Course 2 Competencies
Upon successful completion of Course 2, the RNFA Student will be able to:
• Utilize the nursing process and best practices while caring for patients in the perioperative setting in the
expanded role of the RNFA
• Demonstrate the skills and techniques necessary to proficiently perform multi-specialty surgical
procedures, and appropriately and swiftly recognize and respond to emergent situations
• Apply advanced surgical knowledge and skills of operating room fundamentals, infection control and
wound healing to achieve optimal patient outcomes for healthy and special needs patients
• Apply in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to achieve optimal patient
outcomes in the perioperative care of patients
• Apply the knowledge and skills unique to the expanded role of the RNFA in the use of equipment, supplies
and proper positioning in the surgical care of the patient

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Testing
Course 1 Perioperative Practice Quiz
Number of questions: 50
Time Limit: 2 hours
Maximum Number of Attempts: 3
Minimum Passing Grade: 80%

Course 1 Surgical Specialties Quiz

Number of questions: 50
Time Limit: 2 hours
Maximum Number of Attempts: 3
Minimum Passing Grade: 80%

Course 2 Final Exam

Number of questions: 200
Time Limit: 4 hours
Maximum Number of Attempts: 3
Minimum Passing Grade: 80%

Grading Criteria
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 90%
F = below 80%
F = Incomplete Coursework
Procedure Log I and 2 are pass/revise and resubmit and all required documents are received/required.

Continuing Education Credit

Upon successful completion of the program 99 continuing education credits will be awarded. NIFA is a Licensed
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP11471.

Internet and Software Requirements

The RNFA 6.0 Program is an online course. All quizzes and final exam must be completed online, and all
assignments must be uploaded to the online learning system. Students must be able to open, scan and upload
documents created in the Microsoft Office Suite.

Required Textbooks
Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery, 15th Edition by Jane Rothrock
AORN’s RNFA Core Curriculum, 5th Edition

Strongly Recommended Textbooks

AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice, Current Edition

Education Department
12354 E. Caley Avenue Suite 108
Centennial, Colorado 80111
email: [email protected]
phone: 800-922-7747
office hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm MST

NIFA © 1995-2018